Ohio Sen. Rob Portman's job approval rating among voters slips to 40 - 31 percent, fueled
mainly by a dip in Republican support, since he came out in favor of gay marriage, according to
a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This compares to Sen. Portman's 44 - 24 percent approval rating in a February 28 survey
by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ac) University. Republican approval drops from
63 - 8 percent to 57 - 21 percent, 41 percent of Republicans saying they think less favorably of
Portman because of his support of same-sex marriage. Democratic approval goes from a
negative 26 - 36 percent to a negative 29 - 34 percent. Support among independent voters goes
from 47 - 23 percent to 43 - 35 percent.

With a substantial gender gap, Ohio voters lean toward same-sex marriage by a narrow
48 - 44 percent, compared to a split in a December 12 Quinnipiac University poll when 45
percent of voters supported it, with 47 percent opposed. Women support same-sex marriage
52 - 40 percent, while men are opposed 49 - 43 percent.

Because of Portman's shift on same-sex marriage, 20 percent think more favorably of
him, while 25 percent think less favorably and 53 percent say it makes no difference.

"Sen. Rob Portman's reversal on same-sex marriage has cost him a little support in his
Republican base, but has little impact among Democrats and independent voters," said Peter
Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The movement in his
numbers has not been massive and the overall movement towards acceptance of same-sex
marriage, which we see in Ohio and elsewhere, could help him in the long run, especially if he
seeks reelection four years from now."

President Barack Obama's job approval rating in Ohio has dipped to a negative 45 - 51
percent, compared to 48 - 47 percent in March and 54 - 42 percent last December.

On gun-control 84 percent of Ohio voters, including 80 percent of voters in households
with guns, support universal background checks for gun buyers. Voters believe 50 - 40 percent
that the government will use the information gained through such checks to confiscate firearms
from legal owners. A 52 - 15 percent majority, however, say they are more likely to back a
congressman who votes for a background checks.

By a narrow 51 - 43 percent majority, Ohio voters say all employers should be required
to offer birth control as part of their benefit plans, regardless of religious or moral beliefs.

Again the gender gap is significant as women support the requirement 59 - 35 percent
while men say 51 - 42 percent employers should be allowed to refuse birth control coverage
based on religious or moral beliefs.

Voters also say 48 - 43 percent that increasing the number of people eligible for
Medicaid is a good idea.

By a substantial 63 - 30 percent majority, Ohio voters believe the economic benefits of
drilling for natural gas and oil in the state outweigh environmental concerns.

From April 10 - 15, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,138 registered voters with a
margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia
and the nation as a public service and for research.

For more information, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?

21. Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential economic benefits. Others say there should not be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view?

TREND: Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential economic benefits, others say there should not be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view?

TREND: Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers?

Apr 19 Mar 01
2013 2013
Support 84 90
Oppose 15 8
DK/NA 1 1

26. If a member of Congress who represents your district were to vote for requiring background checks for all gun buyers, would you be more likely to vote for that person, less likely to vote for that person, or wouldn't it make a difference?

30. As you may know Medicaid is a government program that pays for health care for low-income people and others with certain disabilities. Do you think that increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid coverage in Ohio is a good idea or a bad idea?

TREND: As you may know Medicaid is a government program that pays for health care for low-income people and others with certain disabilities. Do you think that increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid coverage in Ohio is a good idea or a bad idea?

Apr 19 Mar 01
2013 2013
Good idea 48 48
Bad idea 43 42
DK/NA 9 10

31. Which comes closer to your opinion about health insurance plans offered by employers; employers should be required to offer birth control coverage in the health plans they offer employees, or employers should be able to refuse to offer birth control coverage on moral or religious grounds?